# Anthony Lucas (defensive end)
**Anthony Lucas** is an American professional football edge defender for the [Detroit Lions](https://www.edgepedia.org/detroit-lions) of the [National Football League](https://www.edgepedia.org/national-football-league) (NFL). A five-star high school recruit who played college football at Texas A&M and USC, he went undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft and signed with the Lions as an undrafted free agent on May 12, 2026.[1](https://www.detroitlions.com/team/players-roster/anthony-lucas/situational/)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Current team | Detroit Lions, EDGE, No. 61; signed as an undrafted free agent May 12, 2026[1](https://www.detroitlions.com/team/players-roster/anthony-lucas/situational/) |
| College career | Texas A&M (2022), USC (2023–2025); 73 tackles, 8.0 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, one pass defended, one fumble recovery, one forced fumble[1](https://www.detroitlions.com/team/players-roster/anthony-lucas/situational/) |
| Recruiting | Five-star recruit per 247Sports out of Chaparral High School (Scottsdale, Arizona); 2022 Under Armour All-American[1](https://www.detroitlions.com/team/players-roster/anthony-lucas/situational/) |
| Measurements | 6'5 1/2", 256 pounds, 33 1/2-inch arms, 10 1/4-inch hands, 85 1/8-inch wingspan at the 2026 pre-draft evaluation[2](https://www.nfl.com/draft/tracker/2026/prospects/edge_all?collegeClass=all&page=1&status=undrafted) |
| Draft evaluation | NFL.com prospect grade 5.69; production score 60, athleticism score 69, overall score 68[2](https://www.nfl.com/draft/tracker/2026/prospects/edge_all?collegeClass=all&page=1&status=undrafted) |
| Best college season | 2025 at USC: 12 games, 11 starts, 37 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble[1](https://www.detroitlions.com/team/players-roster/anthony-lucas/situational/) |
| Injury | Season-ending leg injury requiring surgery in 2024, after starting the first six games[3](https://steelersdepot.com/2026/04/2026-nfl-draft-scouting-report-usc-edge-anthony-lucas/) |
## Background and recruitment
Lucas attended Chaparral High School in [Scottsdale, Arizona](https://www.edgepedia.org/scottsdale-arizona), and was named a 2022 Under Armour All-American. As a senior he recorded 64 tackles, 22.0 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks, and he also played some tight end, catching 6 passes for 2 touchdowns. He was a five-star recruit according to 247Sports.[1](https://www.detroitlions.com/team/players-roster/anthony-lucas/situational/) Scouting services ranked him the No. 1 prospect from Arizona, the No. 8 defensive line recruit in the country, and 32nd across all positions.[3](https://steelersdepot.com/2026/04/2026-nfl-draft-scouting-report-usc-edge-anthony-lucas/) He started playing football only as a high school freshman and was recruited at freshman orientation.[3](https://steelersdepot.com/2026/04/2026-nfl-draft-scouting-report-usc-edge-anthony-lucas/) He was born in Haiti.[4](https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/lions-udfa-profile-edge-anthony-lucas)
## College career
Lucas began his college career at Texas A&M in 2022, playing in seven games with 10 tackles and 1.0 tackle for loss, then transferred to USC, where he spent his final three seasons.[1](https://www.detroitlions.com/team/players-roster/anthony-lucas/situational/)
At USC he appeared in 11 games with one start in 2023, recording 10 tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss, and was named to the Pac-12 Fall Academic Honor Roll.[1](https://www.detroitlions.com/team/players-roster/anthony-lucas/situational/) • [3](https://steelersdepot.com/2026/04/2026-nfl-draft-scouting-report-usc-edge-anthony-lucas/) In 2024 he started the first six games before suffering a season-ending leg injury that required surgery; he finished the year with 16 tackles and one pass defended in seven games.[1](https://www.detroitlions.com/team/players-roster/anthony-lucas/situational/) • [3](https://steelersdepot.com/2026/04/2026-nfl-draft-scouting-report-usc-edge-anthony-lucas/) He had considered entering the 2025 NFL Draft had he not been injured.[3](https://steelersdepot.com/2026/04/2026-nfl-draft-scouting-report-usc-edge-anthony-lucas/)
His 2025 senior season was his most productive: 12 games with 11 starts, 37 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble.[1](https://www.detroitlions.com/team/players-roster/anthony-lucas/situational/) All three of his career sacks came in that final season, and only one came against Power Four competition, against Nebraska.[4](https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/lions-udfa-profile-edge-anthony-lucas) Across 32 games at USC he totaled 63 tackles, seven for loss, and three sacks.[4](https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/lions-udfa-profile-edge-anthony-lucas)
## Draft evaluation
Lucas participated in the 2026 [NFL Scouting Combine](https://www.edgepedia.org/nfl-scouting-combine) in [Indianapolis](https://www.edgepedia.org/indianapolis) on February 26, 2026, and played in the 2026 Shrine Bowl.[4](https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/lions-udfa-profile-edge-anthony-lucas) • [3](https://steelersdepot.com/2026/04/2026-nfl-draft-scouting-report-usc-edge-anthony-lucas/) His pre-draft measurements were 6'5 1/2" and 256 pounds with 33 1/2-inch arms, 10 1/4-inch hands and an 85 1/8-inch wingspan.[2](https://www.nfl.com/draft/tracker/2026/prospects/edge_all?collegeClass=all&page=1&status=undrafted)
**Scouting consensus.** Evaluators agreed on the profile: NFL size and length with a power-based, run-first style, but limited production. NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein gave him a 5.69 grade and wrote that Lucas is "an edge defender with NFL size and length but a disappointing lack of collegiate production," whose play is "more gradual than twitchy" and who lacks explosiveness as a rusher and into first contact as a run defender.[2](https://www.nfl.com/draft/tracker/2026/prospects/edge_all?collegeClass=all&page=1&status=undrafted) [CBS Sports](https://www.edgepedia.org/cbs-sports)' scouting report listed ideal size and length and good upper-body strength to deconstruct blocks as strengths, and average-to-below-average waist bend, inconsistent edge setting, and a tendency to lose contain as weaknesses, projecting him as a depth defender; it compared him to Tyquan Lewis.[5](https://new.cbssports.com/college-football/players/28875374/anthony-lucas/) Steelers Depot graded him 6.8, a "pure backup," projecting early Day 3, and noted a predictable pass rush built around a cross chop.[3](https://steelersdepot.com/2026/04/2026-nfl-draft-scouting-report-usc-edge-anthony-lucas/) Other reports emphasized inside-out versatility across multiple fronts, including interior sub-package roles, and special teams contributions.[6](https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/2026-nfl-draft-scouting-report-214908867.html)
Despite a consensus board ranking of 160, Lucas went undrafted; Pride of Detroit called him by far the highest-ranked player on the consensus board to sign with the Lions as an undrafted free agent.[7](https://www.prideofdetroit.com/detroit-lions-draft/163547/2026-detroit-lions-udfa-class-analysis-scouting-report/) Some pre-draft mocks had placed him as early as the third round.[4](https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/lions-udfa-profile-edge-anthony-lucas)
## Professional career
Lucas signed with the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent on May 12, 2026, and wears No. 61.[1](https://www.detroitlions.com/team/players-roster/anthony-lucas/situational/) The Lions listed him at 6-5 and 265 pounds.[1](https://www.detroitlions.com/team/players-roster/anthony-lucas/situational/) He entered an EDGE room competing against former first-round pick Payton Turner, 2025 sixth-rounder [Ahmed Hassanein](https://www.edgepedia.org/ahmed-hassanein-american-football), and seventh-round pick Tyre West for a roster spot behind locks [Aidan Hutchinson](https://www.edgepedia.org/aidan-hutchinson), D.J. Wonnum and second-round pick Derrick Moore.[4](https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/lions-udfa-profile-edge-anthony-lucas)
## Playing style
Lucas is a power-based edge defender who aligns both standing up and with a hand in the ground, and can kick inside to rush from the interior.[7](https://www.prideofdetroit.com/detroit-lions-draft/163547/2026-detroit-lions-udfa-class-analysis-scouting-report/) • [6](https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/2026-nfl-draft-scouting-report-214908867.html) Scouts credit his long arms, effective long-arm rush, edge-setting anchor, and pursuit explosiveness, while flagging a limited pass-rush plan, inconsistent run-fit discipline, and body control as development areas.[7](https://www.prideofdetroit.com/detroit-lions-draft/163547/2026-detroit-lions-udfa-class-analysis-scouting-report/) • [3](https://steelersdepot.com/2026/04/2026-nfl-draft-scouting-report-usc-edge-anthony-lucas/) Dane Brugler of The Athletic wrote that Lucas has "NFL-quality size, with the power profile and quickness to be a firm NFL edge setter and work-in-progress pass rusher," and that as long as his effort stays high he has enough physical traits to find work on an NFL defensive line.[7](https://www.prideofdetroit.com/detroit-lions-draft/163547/2026-detroit-lions-udfa-class-analysis-scouting-report/)
## References
1. [Anthony Lucas player profile, DetroitLions.com](https://www.detroitlions.com/team/players-roster/anthony-lucas/situational/)
2. [All Colleges 2026 EDGE Draft Prospects, NFL.com (Lance Zierlein scouting report)](https://www.nfl.com/draft/tracker/2026/prospects/edge_all?collegeClass=all&page=1&status=undrafted)
3. [2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: USC EDGE Anthony Lucas, Steelers Depot](https://steelersdepot.com/2026/04/2026-nfl-draft-scouting-report-usc-edge-anthony-lucas/)
4. [Lions UDFA Profile: EDGE Anthony Lucas, Sports Illustrated](https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/lions-udfa-profile-edge-anthony-lucas)
5. [Anthony Lucas, USC Trojans, DE, CBS Sports](https://new.cbssports.com/college-football/players/28875374/anthony-lucas/)
6. [2026 NFL Draft scouting report: Anthony Lucas, Edge Rusher, USC, Yahoo Sports (Bucs Wire)](https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/2026-nfl-draft-scouting-report-214908867.html)
7. [2026 Detroit Lions UDFAs: Scouting reports for all 9 rookies, Pride Of Detroit](https://www.prideofdetroit.com/detroit-lions-draft/163547/2026-detroit-lions-udfa-class-analysis-scouting-report/)
8. [Anthony Lucas, USC Trojans ED, PFF](https://www.pff.com/ncaa/players/anthony-lucas/158657)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Sports, games, and recreation › Other team and ball sports › Rugby and other football codes › American football players, coaches, and executives › Defensive ends › Active professional defensive ends*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 21, 2026 · Edited: Oct 11, 2026; Oct 12, 2026; Oct 15, 2026; Oct 21, 2026 · Last review: Oct 21, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license